Chico Rubio on for Michael Negrette
German Cortes Narvaez on for Xavier Carmona
Tito de Torres on for Fran Alvarez Benitez

One change from the team that played on Tuesday evening with Chico Rubio being replaced by Fran Benitez, the latter making his debut. Tito de Torres wins a spot on the bench as United face St Joseph’s in the first heavy weight clash of the season.

It was as everyone expected a tough, physical and entertaining affair that belied the needle that exists between the sides. Any chance of a cagey game went out of the window early doors as St Jospeh’s took an early lead when last year’s Saints’ top scorer Delgado gave them a 6th minute lead.

United responded relatively quickly with Bosio shooting over the bar after some crafty footwork by Castiella. Our equaliser came via the boots of Ponce de Leon following an assist by Negrette, the latter has had an outstanding start to the season. St Joseph’s lead had lasted 7 minutes and it was game on. Indeed Michael almost gave us the lead minutes later only for his shot to cannon off the upright!

Double disaster struck soon after however. First it was St Jospeh’s taking the lead from the head of Peña shortly followed by the loss of Negrette through injury; the youngster being subbed off for Rubio 42 minutes into the first half. 5 bookings, three goals and some good football on offer. United with all to do in the second half.

The game’s intensity continued though with less goal mouth action and more of a protracted battle. Mr Barcelo continued to brandish yellow cards and United went down to 10 men as Mouehli got his marching orders for two yellow cards; he was later joined by fromer United player Panzavechia who got booked twice in 10 minutes. Tito de Torres and German Cortes came on as Cazorla looked for an equaliser. It finally game in the dying embers of the game as Cortes bagged his first goal for the club on 86 minutes to finally beat Robba and bring back parity to the scoreline. Indeed he had a further chance seconds from the end of the game to shoot but opted instead to square the ball and the chance went begging.

The first big clash of the season did not disappoint. A fierce rivalry born last season continued and the public, a rather large one at that, enjoyed an enteratining match of football which perhaps augurs well for the local game. Spoils shared and attention now on FC Boca Juniors next weekend.

Friday sees Gibraltar United’s first tough test of the season against last year’s running mate for 3rd place, St Joseph’s. The Saints come into the game following a comprehensive 5-0 drubbing of recently promoted F.C. Boca Juniors and reinforced their side over the summer. Former United players Brad Power and Evan Green were joined by Guerrero from Glacis, Al Greene from Lions and Ryan Casciaro from Lincoln. St Joseph’s will prove a tough nut to crack and the game promises to be tense and exciting.

Erin will serve the last game of his suspension but otherwise Lucas has his full squad to choose from. Some impressive performances against Lions should fill the squad with confidence for the match kicking off Friday at 20:30

Leo Pereyra on for Daniel Ponce de Leon
Filipe Da Cruz Ramahlo on for Jamie Bosio
Alberto Del Rio Fernandez on for Andre De Oliviera Farinha

Suspension forces Manolo to suffle his pack as Aguiar is serving a one match ban due to an accumulation of 5 yellow cards. Negrette and Power come back into the side for this pivotal match against St Joseph’s, the latter in an unfamiliar left back role. Both clubs know that a win will mean a big step forward in deciding who finishes 3rd this season. United come into the game in good form and so to St Joseph’s in what promises to be a cracker.

The match promised much and boy did it deliver. Two teams going for it knowing that the 3 points were crucial for their respective causes. St Joseph’s started the game very well positioned on the pitch and it took a while for United to find their rhythm. Dani was well shackled by sometimes two players at a time while the 3 central midfielders were all hands to the pump, Carrasco and Bosio were to go ahead and have tremendous performances.

The initial exchanges saw little goal mouth action with the pitched battle centered around midfield but as the play began to get more expansive chances galore were to fall to both teams, indeed Chino and Garica in the St Jospeh’s goal thr respective man of the match for their teams. Dani had our first chance with a powerful shot driven just wide while moments later Garcia made his first save of the match from an Elghobashy shot. United had woken up and took control of the game. Yet St Joseph’s are a tough side and fought back hard as possession ebbed and flowed and the fairly large crowd at the stadium were treated to a tense but entertaining match.

Such a tense affair would preclude a flurry of bookings and when Barnett went into the book early doors it augured what would a total of 13 bookings in a match that at times took on an ugly turn. Marco and Dani took our danger forward while St Joseph’s looked to JP Duarte and Galvin to create. Both defences were holding firm with Negrette holding his own at left full back. As United surged forward Bosio broke through into the box, whiel waiting for the through ball he was tackled from behind and Mr Canepa rightly pointed at the penalty spot despite the vociferous St Joseph’s appeals. Dani stepped up and rifled in his second penalty of the spot and his third goal for the club leaving Garcia no chance to get it.

Elghobashy headed wide shortly after from a Farinha cross and the Egyptian, who was having a decent game in harassing the St Joseph’s defence, was to also have another effort safely held by Garcia. The last chance of the first half was to fall to Muñoz but Chino was equal of the effort and would ensure that United would take a slender lead into the changing rooms. Several players on boths sides were very riled up and the worry was that 22 players would not finish on the field of play.

St Joseph’s came out the much better team in the second half knowing that a point was the bare minimum they needed out of this game. They asserted a tremendous amount of pressure in the first 15 minutes of the half that saw United under the cosh and suffering. Towering above that pressure was Chino that made a series of saves to keep his goal safe. Two in particular stand out, a close range reflex save from a header and a save from a dangerous free kick from the let of our area. The latter captured by Vanessa Correa on Twitter.

The skipper’s performance inspired his team mates ahead of him. With St Joseph’s fully comitted to the attack gaps opened up for Ayman to exploit. He twice got himself in the area but twice Garcia pulled off tremendous saves to keep the match at 1-0. Marco also could not best the keeper and several efforts went wide. The match was on a knife edge and it nearly toppled over when Barnett hand balled in the area following some deft ball control by Galvin. Mr Canepa, correctly so, pointed to the spot. Up stepped Galvin…

United off the hook and with time ebbing away the goal of 3 points getting closer and closer. A flurry of bookings ensued and Mr Canepa did very well in keeping the match under his control as tempers and frustrations simmered. Leo came on to add some composure to the middle of the park, replacing a tiring Dani who once again had a blinder. Pipo and Alberto also came on with 15 minutes to go to safeguard Farinha on a yellow and for Bosio who had had a tremendous game. More and more gaps were opening in the St Jospeh’s rearguard but tired minds meant that neither Pipo, Ayman nor Marco could convert the chances offered them. Mr Canepa called time on the game after the 5 minutes of alloted extra time were up to leave United with the 3 points and still in 4th but tied on points with St Joseph’s and with the head to head firmly in favour. Objective achieved!!

Photo courtesy of Neil Wilson

There were several unsavouy incidents at the touchline on full time involving several players from both teams and the St Joseph’s technical staff. Scenes like these have no place in or around a football pitch and we urge all sides to be tempered and remember that an increasingly number of young, football loving people are attending the games at the Stadium and the best of examples have to be set.

Both teams come into the game in good form and on the back of successive wins. United can look back to the earlier game this season and a 3-1 win over the Blues and Whites for inspiration.

Manolo does not have Aguiar available for selection due to a ban for 5 yellow cards but has the rest of the squad fighting for a place for this pivotal match in the fight for 3rd place. Kick off 18:15.

Ayman Elghobashy on for Manuel Roman Salado
Igor Djoman on for Michael Negrette
Yassine Idouaziz on for Filipe Aguiar

Injuries and the performance against Man 62 have moved Manolo into shuffling his pack. With Brad out after injuring his ankle against Man 62, Erin comes in to partner Aymen in defence while both Aguiar and Negrette start to provide the width so sorely missed last time out. Elghobashy drops to the bench alongside Ramalho as United look to exploit their pace against a tough St Jospeh’s side.

It was a perfect evening for football with little wind and a balmy, early autumn temperature as both teams took the field of play. St Jospeh’s were looking to continue their 100% start to the season while United looked to put the disappointing performance against Man 62 behind them.

It was a cagey start but United looked menacing when going forward. Roman was keen to exploit his pace from the off, as it turned out this was the key facet of the match. While Aguiar and Negrette sought to widen the pitch at every given opportunity. It was from a Aguiar cross that United got their breakthrough in the 6th minute of the match. Robba in the St Joseph’s goal came out and fumbled what seemed a run of the mill catch. Roman, hovering on the keeper’s blind side was rewarded with a gift of a ball as it sailed through the keeper’s hands. A simple point blank range header and Roman had finally broken his duck and put the misses on Sunday behind him. United 1-0 up and game on.

St Joseph’s sought to get back into the game and fought hard for it. The centre backs relied on their physicality to control Roman’s lightning bursts of speed while up front JP Duarte tried to stretch our defence perfectly marshalled by Erin and Aymen. Indeed the match went through periods were it resembled a pitch battle. These are the scenarios in which Baio and Bosio excel in. They broke up St Joseph’s attempts to create and the Blue and Whites resorted to longer and longer balls as thier playmakers were squeezed out of time and space.

The one time they were afforded space St Jospeh’s equalised and what a goal it was! Ferrer was given the freedom and time to turn full about 35 meters from the goal. He was given the time to line up his shot and let loose a well placed, powerful shot that left Chino with no chance. There is no denying the quality of the finish but Ferrer was largely allowed to set up the goal with no pressure at all. Great timing for the Saints as the goal came while they were dominating the midfield. United however have a rapier up front.

Untied’s lead was once again restored by Roman. His harrassing of the Saints’ playmakers saw him exploit his pace once again as he bored on Robba like an arrow. The keeper started to come out of his line as the striker closed in, the Blue and White defence trailing behind him. Roman looked up saw Robba’s postion and drilled a shot past him to the far post. As the ball nestled into the net Roman and the team wheeled away in celebration with the half time whistle close on their heels.

The second half however proved to be an exciting 45 minutes of football. Both teams came out all guns blazing to gain the lead. St Jospeh’s looked a bit more creative and forced Chino into his only save of the game but they exhibited little real danger after that. Roman however was denied a hat trick. Once again he outfoxed the Saints’ defence using a mix of guile and pace and it was only a bobble on the Victoria’s surface that came to Robba’s resuce as he faced Roman for the third time.

He was subbed soon after and received the applause of United supporters as a well deserved plaudit. The rapier was replaced by the broadsword. In Elghobashy we have a different type of forward relying more on sheer power and close ball control. As is his want, he began harrasing the tiring St Joesph’s defence and it was clear they could not handle him. He had a number of chances and buried his second one after rounding Robba and tapping into an empty net. Had he shown more composure a few minutes later he would have doubled his tally for the match.

Mention as well to Marco Meireles who demonstrated his experience and nuance in controlling the ball and the game masterfully for the last 25 minutes. He seemed to be everywhere at once, supporting the defence and sending balls forward for Ayman to chase. It was a night to remember for all in Red and White as Mr Murphy called time on the game. Our first win versus St Joseph’s and a good performance to bolster morale before our next game against in form Lions FC.

Another historic name of local football. Founded in 1912 St Joseph’s is the South District Team and have one league title to their name and 9 Rock Cups, the most recent coming in 2013. A regular in the top division St Joseph’s qualified for European competition for the first time last season and participated in the qualifiers for this season’s UEFA Europa League.

Chino gave us his prematch thoughts, ‘the squad has been more focused since the Man 62 game and everyone is eager to get the game started and get back to winning ways, however as always it will be a tough match against St Joseph’s and we are under no illusion it will be an easy game’

St Joseph’s have finished 3rd for the past two seasons and have been a very consistent team for the past few seasons. Despite a decent 0-0 draw last time out St Joseph’s have always been a tough nut to crack but the squad is eager and has been working hard to improve on Sundays result and the game promises to be an exciting one. Kick off Friday at 20:30